Ηegumen / Abbot
Originating from the Syrian city of Apamea, the Blessed One was an orphan and went to Antioch for education. After acquiring knowledge, he sought spiritual wisdom and went to Ephesus, where he labored under the guidance of Promotus. He lived in poverty, worked, and distributed to the poor. Later, hearing about Saint Alexander in Byzantium, he left Ephesus and came to him, where he was clothed in the monastic habit. The Blessed Markell acquired the gift of foresight and, foreseeing his future position as abbot, secretly left the monastery to avoid authority over the brethren. After the death of Saint Alexander, he was chosen as the abbot of the Monastery of the Sleepless.
In the new monastery, he continued to care for the poor, and God multiplied food for the brethren and travelers. Blessed Markell was humble and even tended to donkeys until the brethren persuaded him to become a shepherd. His virtues attracted many monks, and he became an archimandrite, spreading the rule of the monastery to other monasteries.
Numerous miracles accompanied his life: he healed the sick, multiplied food, saved from hunger, and healed from diseases. The Blessed One also predicted events, including the death of bishops and the fate of the house of Aspar, which was destroyed according to his prophecy. He had the gift of healing and could cast out demons.
Having lived sixty years in monastic labor, Blessed Markell passed away, surrounded by the brethren. He was buried in the church he built. After his death, his disciple Lucian soon followed him, fulfilling the saint's prophecy about his disciple. Blessed Markell appeared before God, having been granted eternal joy and bliss.
